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Most Common Bodily Changes During Pregnancy

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The changes your body makes during pregnancy are in response to your body preparing to accommodate the fetus growing inside. These changes are normal and natural, however some can be very uncomfortable. Below are the most common bodily changes during pregnancy and what you can do to alleviate the discomfort.

Bodily Changes During Pregnancy

Bodily Changes During Pregnancy

The most commonly recognized symptom, often portrayed in movies and television, is morning sickness. This usually passes after the first trimester and is caused by hormonal changes. Although it’s called “morning” sickness, it can occur at any time during the day. Eating small, bland meals more often, sipping water or weak tea, and avoiding laying down after eating can all help ease the nausea you may experience in those first few weeks.

Body aches are quite common during gestation as well. As the uterus expands, the pressure can cause pain in the abdomen, back, groin and thighs. Often, the increased weight of the baby can put pressure on the pelvis or sciatic nerve. To help alleviate this pain, lie down and apply heat to the problem area.

The breasts also change shape during pregnancy. Hormonal changes cause the breasts to get larger in preparation for breastfeeding. They often feel full and heavy and may even leak colostrum (the first milk produced for the baby that is thick and full of protective antibodies), in the third trimester. Wearing a supportive bra can help with fullness and breastfeeding pads can help absorb leaks.

Constipation during pregnancy is a common complaint among pregnant women. High levels of hormones slow down the digestion process and relax the muscles in the bowels leaving many women constipated. The pressure from the expanding uterus can also cause constipation, resulting in fewer than 3 bowl movements per week. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and eating fiber-rich foods can help your digestive system get back on track.

Fatigue is also quite common, especially in the first and third trimesters. This is your body’s way of telling you to get more rest. Remember – you are growing a human being inside you! You are doing a lot of work and have every right to be exhausted! And this will really set in as you get larger and sleeping becomes increasingly difficult. Leg cramps, baby movements, bathroom runs, and an increase in your body’s metabolism can also affect your quality of sleep. Drinking less fluid before bed, keeping the same schedule and napping, can also help you get the rest you deserve.

As the baby gains weight, it begins to push down on your bladder, pelvic floor muscles and urethra, causing frequent urination and even leakage while coughing, sneezing or laughing. Taking frequent bathroom breaks, drinking plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration and doing Kegel exercises can often help your bladder issues. However, if you experience burning in addition to these symptoms, it may be an infection.

Although the bodily changes during pregnancy taking place  can be uncomfortable or downright painful at times, it’s important to remember that most of these symptoms are normal. Every person is different and every pregnancy is different, but most women experience similar discomforts. Just remind yourself of what your body is changing for that beautiful little baby inside you, and you’ll be able to get through just about anything.

Your Pregnancy Week By Week

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Here is some pointer of Pregnancy Week By Week. During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through some serious changes. The gestation period lasts about 40 weeks and is grouped into three trimesters. One of the most common questions asked by pregnant women is, “What happens to my body during pregnancy?”

Pregnancy Week By Week

First Trimester (Week 1 – Week 12)

The hormonal changes taking place during the first trimester affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes will cause symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is the first sign of pregnancy, but others will follow rather quickly behind: extreme tiredness, tender and swollen breasts, upset stomach and/or morning sickness, frequent urination, mood swings, food cravings, constipation during pregnancy, weight gain/loss, heartburn and headaches are the most common symptoms during the first trimester.

You may need to adjust your schedule to suit your changing body during these first few weeks. Going to bed earlier or eating small meals more frequently can help you cope with the symptoms. The good news, is that most of these initial discomforts usually pass as the pregnancy progresses.

Second Trimester (Week 13-Week 28)

You may begin to notice your nausea and fatigue starting to wane as you enter your second trimester. But now, other new and more noticeable changes will start to take place. Your belly will get bigger, and before this trimester is over you should begin to feel the baby move!

The most common symptoms and discomforts during these few weeks are: body aches, stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts, thighs and buttocks, darker nipples, dark line running from bellybutton to pubic bone, patches of dark skin on the face, tingling/numb hands, and swelling of hands, face and ankles. As with any phase during your pregnancy, call your doctor if your symptoms change suddenly or get worse. But for the most part, your body is just making a few slight (and often uncomfortable) changes to accommodate your baby.

Third Trimester (Week 29-Week 40)

The third trimester can sometimes be the most uncomfortable. Breathing may become difficult and frequent urination comes back with a vengeance. This is because the baby is getting bigger and putting pressure on your organs. This is perfectly normal and your discomfort will ease once you’ve given birth.

Some of the new bodily changes you may notice during your final trimester are: shortness of breath, heartburn, protruding belly button, swollen ankles, hemorrhoids, tender breasts, difficulty sleeping, the baby ‘dropping’ into your lower abdomen in preparation for birth, and contractions (which can be a sign of real or false birth).

As you reach your due date, the cervix gets thinner and softer – known as effacing – and is a normal and natural process to help the birth canal open during birth. Your doctor will check your progress with vaginal exams, as you get closer to the big day. Now is the time to get excited for the finale!

Pregnancy is a beautiful, natural process that your body is made for. Some changes will be disconcerting – especially if this is your first pregnancy – but it’s important to remember that most symptoms are normal. Your body needs to change to accommodate the precious being within. Although you may be uncomfortable, knowing you have the most important thing in your life growing inside you will get you through those 40 weeks – no problem.

Here are more in depth pregnancy month to month pointers you should check on.

 

First Month of Pregnancy

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getting pregnantThe first month of pregnancy is known as fetal bud stage. It begins and refers to the period between the first days of the last menstrual period of a woman till the four weeks. As you should know that a women usually has menstruation cycle and it takes about 28-30 days. During the second weekend, this is the time for you to have sex intercourse in order to get pregnant. This is the time the sperm and egg have the chance to meet and combine. After fertilization about four days, the fertilized egg will make a trip and reaches the uterus along the oviduct in preparation for implantation. And finally on the fourth week, the embryo cell has been firmly planted into the womb. The first part is forming the placenta and the second part will become the embryo.

At this stage, the length of the Fetal Bud is around 0.5-1 cm.

What happening to you now physically during the first month of pregnancy is you may be experiencing any of the following symptoms: missed period, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, bloating, a feeling of fullness, light cramping, poor appetite, frequent urination, and breast tenderness. It depend on each individual woman, some women may have no symptoms at all and feel absolutely wonderful. This is perfectly normal.

As soon as you discover you are pregnant, it is important to schedule your first appointment with your OB/GYN or midwife.

Below are slide of pictures in the womb

First Month Pregnancy Pointers

Here are some pointers pregnant women have to take notes of during the first month of pregnancy. Usually most pregnant woman did not practice it due to their ignorance.

1. Avoid going to crowded places where people gather. This is to avoid contact with those suffering from influenza, rubella, hepatitis and other infectious patients. As far as possible, try not to use medicine (drugs). Viruses and drugs may affect Embryos development especially during the first month of pregnancy.

2. Maintain a certain distance away from Electromagnetic device such as listening to audio and watching TV. Minimize use of computers, microwave ovens, mobile phones if you can altogether and NOT TO USE Electro thermal Blanket while sleeping. All this generate electromagnetic fields and will do harm to your fetal.

3. Avoid drinking concentrated tea, thick coffee and cola types of drinks. The best drink for pregnant women is the boiled water.

As for Nutrition intake during the first month of pregnancy, just don’t be a picky eater, develop a good eating habit and maintain nutritional balance. And lastly don’t forget your Folic Acid.

***** Check This Out

MY PREGNANCY DIGI TIME CAPSULE

Month-to-Month guided questions [When's the last time I saw my feet? When did I wear my first maternity outfit? What are some family traditions I will pass down to baby?]. You will capture baby’s growth, cravings, shopping, maternity outfits, labor, dreams, Dr. visits, birth plan and everything pregnancy. Nothing has been overlooked. There is a section for every twinge, thought, smile and tear. Most importantly, we have created a secure environment to upload and safely store your photos, videos and any audio messages you would like to record for baby.

Pregnancy journal with drop down calendar to easily date entries. Unlimited entries.

Media center to upload and store your photos, videos, music and audio messages. You can also edit your photos, play your videos any time and share them.

Create your own Pregnancy Video in under 5 minutes. Choose photos from your uploads, add background music and select photo transition to create your own pregnancy video.

Letters for the future section to write and invite others to write letters to baby. Unlimited entries.

Create a dynamic family tree complete with member photos, birthdates, marriage dates and how they are related to baby.

Capture Baby’s nursery. Add a photo of baby’s nursery, upload furniture receipts, capture the layout, colors, who purchased pieces for the nursery, design of the nursery, how long it took daddy to build the crib and more.

Daddy-to-be corner on surviving pregnancy. A place for dad to add his feelings & emotions about becoming a dad, share his life to present and more.

Capture each baby shower, complete with drop down calendar to date the events.

An interactive old wives tales quiz that will predict baby’s gender.

Capture labor, delivery & baby’s arrival.

Capture the world’s costs, headlines, sports and your predictions for the future. Your child can come back in 20 years and complete your time capsule with the actual costs.*****—————————————————-

Others Month to Month Pointers

Ergo Carrier Benefits

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Becoming a parent is one of the greatest things that a person can experience in their life.  While there are many opinions on parenting and many different ways of raising your baby, attachment parenting is quite popular among many people.

An Ergo carrier is a great addition to your baby gear if you plan on wearing your baby according to attachment parenting ideas.

Often when you have a newborn, you will instinctually want to hold your baby close to you.  Babies who are cuddled and secure tend to settle down quicker and fall asleep easier and this is extremely important for babies who suffer from colic.  The problem with this is that it is next to impossible to hold your baby all day long because you have other things to do and even places to go.  This is where baby wearing comes in so that you can remain active and still hold your baby securely next to you.

Although baby wearing is not as popular today, indigenous people have carried their babies in this way for many years.  There are various ways to do it: wraps, slings, and packs and all of them have the same purpose – to allow mothers to safely tend to their baby’s needs yet still be able to remain productive with their hands free.  It is especially a great way to be able to tend to and interact with other small children.

Research shows that babies who are worn in carriers tend to be calmer, cry less and sleep better.  When you are the parent of a newborn you know that these are very important traits.  Keeping your baby close to you also gives your baby a different view of their surroundings and helps you to maintain a special bond.  It is even a great way to nurse your baby discreetly while out in public.

Products that help you to make baby wearing safe and comfortable are very important.  The Ergo carrier was designed by a mother who researched the benefits of baby wearing and wanted a product that supported her mothering instincts.  The result was a baby carrier that can be used in the front, on the back or even in the hip position and easily interchanged.

The infant insert allows you to start using the carrier from the moment your baby is born and you can use it up until your child is a toddler.  Since safety is one of the highest priorities, each Ergo carrier is subjected to rigorous testing to ensure that it is safe.

For mothers who believe in attachment parenting, baby wearing is the absolute best way to keep their baby with them.  Items such as the Ergo carrier are a very important part of their lives because it allows them to do exactly that. Products such as these allow them to nurture their babies in a special way and keep them safe while still being able to do other things and easily go places while still keeping their hands free for other things.

Ergo Carrier Accessories

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Ergo carrier stands out among all baby slings.

It is being one of the best carriers and is a favorite among parents.  Not only does its unique design make it more comfortable for the person who is wearing the baby, but it also more comfortable for the baby.  In addition, Ergo offers several accessories to make your carrier more useful.

Infant Insert

The infant insert is a special pad that is used in the Ergo carrier for babies age newborn to approximately 4 months old.  The insert can easily be folded and readjusted to make sure it is the right place for your baby.  This allows baby’s legs to stay together and leans their head to one side, keeping their bottom in the middle of the carrier.  It is found that this is the best position for the first months after the baby is born.  This position also supports easy breastfeeding.

Waist Extension

The waist belt on the Ergo carrier helps distribute the weight of the baby more evenly and makes it more comfortable to wear the carrier.  The belt is 43″ on the regular Ergo and 48″ on the Sport Ergo, but for people who need something bigger, you can purchase a waist extension.  They are 8″ long and extend the belt to 51″ on the regular Ergo and 56″ on the Sport Ergo.  Only one waist extension should be used at a time.

Front Pouch

When wearing your carrier on the back, front or hip, this pouch attaches to the waist belt with Velcro.  This allows you to store your personal items and easily carry them while also wearing your baby.  It also comes with a shoulder strap so that it can be used even when not using your Ergo carrier.

Back Pack

This accessory snaps onto the straps of the Ergo carrier and can be used for baby items or other personal items you may need.  It is a great choice for hiking trips and can easily carry diapers, drinks, snacks and a change of clothes.  This eliminates the need to juggle any extra bag while wearing your baby.

Changing Pad

Another accessory that easily attaches to the straps of the Ergo carrier, this changing pad makes it easy to change diapers while out and about.  It has two liners that are washable, a place to put dirty items and extra pockets for storage.  It also can be used separately from your carrier.

Teething/Sucking Pads

These little pads attach to the Ergo carrier to give baby something to suck on, especially when teething.  This keeps baby from sucking on the shoulder straps.

Weather Cover

This weather cover comes in two pieces that snap together (or can be worn separately) to keep baby warm and dry no matter how cold or wet it is outside.  The outside is water resistant and the inside is lined with fleece.

The Ergo carrier is already a favorite among parents because of how comfortable it is to wear.  The great line of accessories makes the Ergo carrier even more convenient and makes going out with baby even simpler.